More Information

Run on the Sun: 8 a.m. from Maverick Park to Pearl Brewery and back. It's kid-, stroller-, wheelchair- and pet-friendly.

Run registration: Forms and additional information available at solarfestsa.com.

Twitter hashtag: #SolarFest

It's time once again for the festival that celebrates all things sun-powered.

Thousands are expected to descend on Maverick Park today for Solar San Antonio's 11th annual Solar Fest, which includes a morning fun run, live music, kids' activities and dozens of solar exhibitors.

The 100 percent renewably powered event also kicks off the second phase of Solar San Antonio's Bring Solar Home campaign, which connects residents with installers and lenders who offer low-interest solar loans.

During the first phase, the program received 550 applications, which resulted in more than 70 installations, said Lanny Sinkin, executive director of SSA.

That translates into almost $3 million in economic activity, Sinkin said, and an additional half a megawatt of distributed energy in the city. One megawatt can power roughly 200 homes.

At Solar Fest, every installer will have applications for Bring Solar Home.

The popularity of solar installations in San Antonio is exploding.

In 2007, the first year CPS Energy offered rebates, the utility processed just five.

In fiscal 2011 (which for CPS ends Jan. 31) 157 rebates were paid, and another 161 were being processed.

“We expect that kind of growth to keep happening,” Sinkin said, thanks in part to falling prices, generous rebates and federal tax credits. Accelerated depreciation for commercial installations is also helping the industry, he said.

In addition to its focus on solar power, the festival will include exhibits from green home builders, sustainable home products, hybrid and electric vehicles and a tree giveaway.

Free T-shirts will be given to attendees who “check-in” to Solar Fest via smartphone geolocation applications, including Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp and Gowalla.

For the kids, the fun includes science activities, a climbing wall, “hamster balls” they can climb inside to take for a spin and a dunk tank. Radio Disney hosts the performances on the kids' stage.